About Us
Children’s Commons Ecological Society (CCES) is a not-for-profit society with a mission to create learning environments that foster the connection between children and the natural world by providing repeated and regular access to a nature space, hands on collaborative learning, playful inquiry, and reflection and use of materials as a means for all learners to extend their understanding of themselves and their relationship to the world around them.
In 2015 CCES founded Calgary’s first Nature Kindergarten offering the Alberta Kindergarten curriculum through learner-led exploration of the natural world. It is a government-approved and publicly-funded kindergarten, in which children will spend the majority of their days exploring and learning in nature. It is the first in Calgary and one of only a few operating across Canada.
Children's Commons Ecological Society Board of Directors: Tara Dressler (Chairperson), Lisa Menzies (Director), Aurora Spoering(Director), Darcey Campbell (Director), Erin Spring (Director), Kelsey Kim (Director), and Eddy Chung (Director)
Our Staff
Kate Robertson
Kate Robertson’s is the Program Director for the CCES Nature Kindergarten and the Teacher at our Rosemont location.
Kate is a born and raised Calgarian, mother of three, and teacher of ten years. Growing up in Calgary, Kate frequented the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, and climbing.
Kate loves sharing nature with her children. Most weekends and days off, you can find them biking, walking in fish creek, and the mountains. Kate’s children attended both Common Digs and Calgary Nature Kindergarten.
As a teacher, Kate had ten years of experience with the Calgary Board of Education, teaching grades one to four. During this time, Kate has been an advocate for nature-based education and spent several years as a part of the Global Environmental Council for outdoor education, training in both Project Wild and as a Forest School Practitioner.
Kate is very excited to be part of the Calgary Nature Kindergarten team and share all her experiences with her team and students!
You can reach her directly at: kate@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
Dawn Hardy
Dawn is the classroom assistant at Rosemont Nature Kindergarten alongside Teacher Ms. Kate.
Dawn Hardy has been an environmental educator for many years with conservation organisations in the UK and Canada. Experiences in working life and raising her own children have taught her the importance of children being able to explore and observe at their own pace to make sense of their world. Dawn is passionate about enabling children to play freely outdoors to better understand themselves and others and to encourage meaningful connection with the natural world.
Dawn is most content when outdoors enjoying trail running, sea kayaking or gardening and taking time to appreciate the small wonders of nature with her own children in the backyard or further from home.
Adam Verheyde
Adam is our Teacher at our Red Deer Lake United Church location.
Adam was born and raised in Calgary and loves being outdoors. He will jump at any chance to go fishing, disc golfing, and walking. When at home, Adam likes to play with his cat “Rusty” and hang out.
Adam is super excited to be working alongside your children.
You can reach him directly at: adam@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
Melissa Goble
Melissa is the classroom assistant at the Red Deer Lake United Church location alongside Teacher Mr. Adam.
Melissa was born in Calgary and grew up in an aviation family. They were fortunate enough to be raised in a family that loves to travel and I have been to Europe, Australia, Caribbean. Melissia has worked with children for 12 years and have loved every minute. Melissa also loves dogs and the Calgary Flames!
Anika Douma
Anika is a second year practicum student from Mount Royal University, working towards her Bachelor of Child Studies. Valuing personal expression and the importance of community, she is passionate about creating artistically, outdoor exploration, and connecting with her friends and family. She also enjoys taking care of her house plants and animals, including her cat Pablo and her pet snake Jacob.
Anika is thrilled to be completing her practicum with Calgary Nature Kindergarten this semester, and looks forward to learning and engaging with the community!
Teague Urquhart
Teague is the Registrar for CCES Calgary Nature Kindergarten. He has lived, worked, and played in Calgary for his entire life. After receiving a Bachelor of Environmental Science from The University of Calgary Teague began volunteering as an Environmental Educators with multiple organizations throughout Calgary. This volunteering brought about a passion for education and Teague began seeking out a career as an Environmental Educator.
Teague's passions include education, permaculture, and the outdoors.
You can reach him directly at: registrar@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
